United States 

Environmental Protection 

Agency

1EPA

Solid Waste and

Emergency Response

(5305W)

EPA530-K-99-005

June 1999

www.epa.gov/osw

DRY CLEAN

■ REGULATORY

REVIEW

■ REDUCING WA

AND PREVENTI

POLLUTION

■ RESOURCES FO

DRY CLEANERS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

RCRA Hotline

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

800 424-9346 or TDD 800 553-7672.

In the Washington, DC, area: 703 412-9810 

or TDD 703 412-3323.

2 Printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.
DRY CLEANING 

The Life Cycle of a Typical Dry Cleaning Waste 6

Requirements for Regulated Dry Cleaners 8

Reduce or Minimize the Hazardous Wastes You Generate 10

Other Environmental Laws Affecting the Dry Cleaning Industry 14

Contacts and Resources 16
Iissued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

under a law called the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

(RCRA). Under RCRA, you are required to follow certain practices

and procedures associated with the safe management of hazardous

waste. RCRA in Focus provides an overview of the basic federal

regulations covering wastes that are likely to be hazardous in your

business. It also provides recycling and pollution prevention options to

help businesses decrease the amount of hazardous waste they generate.

2 RCRA IN FOCUS
policy and guidance. The law describes the waste management program mandated by Congress that

gave EPA authority to develop the RCRA program. EPA regulations carry out the Congressional

intent by providing explicit, legally enforceable requirements for waste management. EPA guidance

documents and policy directives clarify issues related to the implementation of the regulations.

All of the RCRA hazardous waste regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR), Title 40, Parts 260 to 279. The CFR can be accessed at <www.access.gpo.gov/nara> or

purchased through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO).

Who Is Regulated?

Any dry cleaner that generates waste is potentially subject to RCRA hazardous waste

requirements. You must conduct tests required by the regulations or use your knowledge of and

familiarity with the waste you generate to determine whether it is hazardous waste (as opposed to

other types of waste). You might be subject to substantial civil and criminal penalties if you fail to

properly or completely identify hazardous waste generated by your business.

What Is Hazardous Waste?

To be considered hazardous waste, a material first must be classified as a solid waste. EPA defines

solid waste as garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material (including solids, semisolids,

liquids, and contained gaseous materials). If your waste is considered solid waste, you must then

determine if it is hazardous waste. Wastes are defined as hazardous by EPA if they are specifically

named on one of four lists of hazardous wastes (listed wastes) or if they exhibit one of four

characteristics (characteristic wastes). Each type of RCRA hazardous waste is given a unique

hazardous waste code using the letters D, F, K, P, or U and three digits (e.g., D001, F005, P039). See

pages 10 to 13 for additional information on dry cleaning waste codes.

Listed Wastes. Wastes are listed as hazardous because they are known to be harmful to human

health and the environment when not managed properly, regardless of their concentrations. The

lists include the following three types of waste:

■ Non-Specific Source Wastes. These are material-specific wastes, such as solvents, generated

by several different industries. Waste codes range from F001 to F039. Examples include

perchloroethylene (perc), trichlorethane (TCA), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-113).

■ Specific Source Wastes. These are wastes from specifically identified industries. Waste codes

range from K001 to K161. Dry cleaning facilities typically do not generate specific source wastes.

■ Discarded Commercial Chemical Products. Off-specification products, container residuals,

spill residue runoff, or active ingredients that have spilled or are unused and that have been, or

are intended to be, discarded. Waste codes range from P001 to P205 and U001 to U411. An

example is unused perc (U210) from dry cleaning facilities.

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DRY CLEANING 
■ Corrosivity. Corrosive wastes are acids or bases that are capable of corroding 

such as storage tanks, drums, and barrels. Battery acid is a good example. The 

these materials is D002.

■ Reactivity. Reactive wastes are unstable under “normal” conditions. They can 

toxic fumes, gases, or vapors when mixed with water. Examples include lithium

and explosives. The waste code for these materials is D003.

■ Toxicity. Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed. When t

disposed of on land, contaminated liquid may drain (leach) from the waste and 

water. Toxicity is defined through a laboratory procedure called the Toxicity C

Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The waste codes for these materials range from D

How Are Generators Regulated?

If your dry cleaning business generates hazardous waste, you must manage it a

regulations for your specific generator type. Hazardous waste generators are divid

categories, according to how much they generate in a calendar month:

■ Large Quantity Generators (LQGs). LQGs generate greater than or equal 

(approximately 2,200 lbs) of hazardous waste per month, or greater than 1 kg (

lbs) of acutely hazardous waste per month.

■ Small Quantity Generators (SQGs). SQGs generate greater than 100 kg (ap

lbs) but less than 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month.

■ Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQGs). CESQG

than or equal to 100 kg of hazardous waste per month, and less than or equal t

hazardous waste per month.

Some states do not recognize the CESQG class. Contact your state environme

out if the CESQG status is recognized. To find your appropriate state contac

Hotline at 800 424-9346.

Under the federal RCRA requirements, your generator status might change fr

the next as the quantity of waste you generate changes. You must comply with wh

is applicable for a given month. In many cases, small businesses that fall into diffe

categories at different times choose to always satisfy the more stringent requireme

requirements) to simplify compliance. Generators must “count” the amount of w

calendar month, which involves adding up the total weight of all quantities of cha

listed waste generated at a particular facility. Certain wastes, such as those that are 

recycled continuously on site, are not counted under the federal regulations.

4 RCRA IN FOCUS

now and in the future.

Superfund was created to

pay for the identification,

inspection, investigation,

ranking, and cleanup of

abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste

sites that people responsible for contamination are

unable or unwilling to

clean up. Call the RCRA

Hotline for more information.

HOW IS USED OIL

HANDLED?

RCRA contains special provisions for

the management of used

oil destined for recycling

or reuse. These management standards apply to

oil refined from crude oil

or any synthetic oil that

has become contaminated

through use by chemical

or physical impurities.

Used oil that will be recycled or reused is subject

to special management

standards, rather than the

hazardous waste standards, unless it is treated

as a waste (i.e., you decide

to send the used oil for

treatment and disposal

rather than recovery or

recycling).
DRY CLEANING 

() g p

a brief description of exclusions and exemptions potentially applicable to the dry cleaning industry.

Check with your implementing agency (state or EPA) for information about additional

requirements or special conditions to the exclusions and exemptions.

Exclusions and Exemptions

Domestic Sewage

Exclusion

Wastewater Treatment Unit

Exemption

Closed Loop Recycling

Exclusion

Description

Mixtures of domestic sewage and other wastes that pass through

a sewer system to a POTW for treatment are excluded from the

definition of solid waste. Generators are encouraged to contact

their local POTW to find out what regulations might apply.

A tank system used to store or treat wastewater as part of an

onsite wastewater treatment facility with a National Pollutant

Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or subject to

pretreatment standards is exempt from the RCRA regulations.

Spent solvents reclaimed and returned to the drycleaning

process for reuse are excluded as long as only tank storage and

the entire process is enclosed (e.g. hard piped). Controlled

flame combustion cannot be used, and the spent solvents cannot

accumulate more than 12 months before being reclaimed.
waste, the type of waste management units used, and the

amount of waste generated. 

6 RCRA IN FOCUS

6

SEND WASTE OFF SITE

FOR TREATMENT, STORAGE, OR DISPOSAL

Ensure that your hazardous

waste is delivered to one of

seven types of facilities to

which CESQGs may send

wastes (e.g. hazardous waste

TSDFs, certain state licensed

or permitted municipal solid

waste facilities, and recyclers).

You may also treat or dispose

of your hazardous waste on

site provided your facility

meets the same criteria for

offsite facilities. 5

FOLLOW U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

PACKAGING STANDARDS

Before shipping waste off

site for treatment, storage,

or disposal, package, label,

and mark waste containers

in accordance with all

applicable DOT requirements. For more information, call the DOT Hotline

at 800 467-4922.
DRY CLEANING 

4RECOVER SPENT PERCHLOROETHYLENE 

Filter the used perc and return part of

the filtered perc to the charged perc

tank for reuse. Place the filter cake and

collected solids (muck) in a muck

cooker to recover additional perc.

Vapors from the muck cooker are vented to a condenser to recover more perc.

Distill the remaining perc to remove

oils, fats, and greases and return it to

the charged solvent tank. Vent the distillation column to recover even more

perc. (Check for Clean Air Act requirements.) Distillation residues accumulated on site are sent off site for disposal. CESQGs may accumulate up to

1,000 kg of non-acutely hazardous

waste for an indefinite amount of time.

3

DETERMINE 

GENERATOR STATUS

Based on the waste counting, determine your generator status. In this example,

you have produced less

than 100 kg in the past

month, which means you

are a CESQG in this calendar month. If the amount

of waste you generate fluctuates from month to

month, you may wish to

satisfy the more stringent

requirements each month

to simplify compliance.

need to count wastes tha

never stored or accumul

and that are: (1) discharg

directly to a sewer wher

waste mixes with domes

sewage, and then passes 

POTW; or (2) recycled

directly in an onsite pro
• Obtain an EPA identifi

to track hazardous wa

• Obtain an EPA identifi

state hazardous waste 

stances at your facility 

• Identify whether you g

cedures are described 

formed by a local labo

• If you generate used o

dards, if the used oil wlisted above.

• Determine how much • You can accumulate w

generation and under 

• There is no time limit • There is a 55-gallon a

from the satellite accu

• You must accumulate • Waste containers mus

• This waste is exempt • If waste accumulation 

can accumulate waste must transport the wa

• Begin counting accum• Waste must be put in • If an LQG or SQG acc

waste storage facility 

• CESQGs cannot accu

residue from acutely h

• Accumulate waste on

least weekly, are com

• LQGs can use accum

are inspected each op

• LQGs can use contain• For all units, the date 

tanks must be clearly permanently in accord

• LQGs and SQGs can • LQGs must comply w• LQGs and SQGs mus

- An adequate intern- A device capable o

- Portable fire contro

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGU

The following table presents an overview of the federal RCRA regulatory req

have different or more stringent requirements. 

RCRA REGU

IMPLEMENTATION 

REGULATORY REQUIREMENT LQGS SQGS CESQGS

EPA IdentificationNumberHazardous WasteIdentificationUsed Oil StandardsWaste CountingAccumulation AreaOther AccumulationAreas (Time andQuantity Limits)Storage UnitRequirementsAir EmissionsPreparedness andPrevention

✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓
- Portable fire contro

- Adequate water pre- Adequate testing a- Access to commun- Adequate aisle spa- An arrangement wi

• LQG facilities must pr• The contingency plan 

constituents.

• A copy of the continge

providers.

• LQGs and SQGs mus• Emergency response • In the event of a fire, e

water, the emergency 

• LQGs must have a pe

- Training must instru- Training must be co- The facility must un

• SQGs must ensure th

responsibilities.

• Before being transpor

DOT hazardous mate

• Hazardous waste sen

exempt. CESQGs: Se

• CESQGs may either t

waste to one of the fo

waste; permitted, licen

istered by state to hanstate to handle nonhareclaims its waste; fachandler in accordance 

• Hazardous waste sen

treatment, storage, an

• The manifest must ha

records and a second 

• SQGs that have a con

to manifest the wastes 

• Waste must meet cert

to levels set by EPA o

disposal must be accthese papers must inof hazardous or solid 

• To encourage generat

toxicity of waste geneposal method that min

• LQGs and SQGs mus• SQGs must make a g

they can afford.

• LQGs must submit bie

other agencies, and th

• LQGs must maintain • LQGs must keep cop• LQGs and SQGs mus• LQGs and SQGs mus

Contingency PlanPersonnel TrainingDOT PackagingOffsite Managementof WasteOnsite Managementof WasteManifestLand DisposalRestrictionsNotificationHazardous WasteMinimizationBiennial ReportRecordkeeping

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓ 

✓

✓

✓✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓✓

✓
TYPE OF DRY

CLEANING

FACILITY

Wastes Generated

Possible RCRA

Waste Codes

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Wastes Generated

Possible RCRA

Waste Codes

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods

10

p

Only the federal hazardous waste codes are provided here. Your state might have 

for some waste streams. You should check with your state hazardous waste authori

waste codes and requirements.

to recycle, treat, or

dispose of them

according to federal

regulations. 

RCRA IN FOCUS

Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Perchloroethylene, also known as 

tetrachloroethylene) 

Spent Solvents

F002 and D039.

■ Directly reuse spent solvent without prior reclamation.

■ Distill spent solvent to recover pure solvent.

■ Ship spent solvent to a hazardous waste TSDF for recovery, treatment, an

Spent Filter Cartridges

F002 and D039.

■ Drain filter cartridges well.

■ Return recovered solvent to charged solvent tanks or distillation units.

■ Store spent filter cartridges and filter cakes (muck) in closed containers.

■ Ship spent filter cartridges and muck to a hazardous waste TSDF for treat

disposal.

■ Install filter recovery units.

■ Install muck cooker to recover additional solvent.

■ Replace cartridge filters with spin disk filters to reduce fugitive emissions.
DRY CLEANING 

p 

■ Vent still condenser offgases to a carbon adsorption unit for additional solv

■ Regenerate carbon adsorber with hot air stripping rather than steam stripp

Cooked Powder Residues

F002 and D039.

■ Heat muck to recover additional solvent.

■ Accumulate and store muck cooker residues in closed containers.

■ Ship muck cooker residues to a registered hazardous waste TSDF for trea

disposal.

■ Vent muck cooker condenser offgases to a carbon adsorption unit for add

recovery.

■ Regenerate carbon adsorber with hot air stripping rather than steam stripp

Unused Perc

D039 and U210.

■ Use, reuse, or reclaim unused perc to avoid disposal. 

■ Send unused perc to a hazardous waste TSDF for treatment and/or dispo

■ Find a legitimate use for the unused perc.

■ Return unused perc to the distributor.

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods

Wastes Generated

Possible RCRA

Waste Codes

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods

Wastes Generated

Possible RCRA

Waste Codes

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods
12 RCRA IN FOCUS

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Wastes Generated

Possible RCRA

Waste Codes

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods

■ Directly reuse spent solvent without prior reclamation.

■ Distill spent solvent to recover pure solvent.

■ Ship spent solvent to a hazardous TSDF for recovery, treatment, and/or d

Spent Filter Cartridges

F002, F005, and D001.

■ Drain filter cartridges well.

■ Return recovered solvent to charged solvent tanks or distillation units.

■ Store spent filter cartridges and filter cakes (muck) in closed containers.

■ Ship spent filter cartridges and muck to a hazardous waste TSDF for treat

disposal.

■ Install filter recovery units.

■ Replace cartridge filters with spin disk filters to reduce fugitive emissions.
DRY CLEANING 

p

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods

TYPE OF DRY

CLEANING

FACILITY

Wastes Generated

Possible RCRA

Waste Codes

Potential Recycling,

Treatment, and

Disposal Methods

Potential Pollution

Prevention Methods

p 

■ Vent still condenser offgases to unvented refrigeration systems for addition

recovery.

Petroleum Solvent Plants (Chemicals Used: Stoddard’s Solven

Spent Solvent

D001.

■ Ship spent solvent to a hazardous waste TSDF for recovery, treatment, an

■ Use alternative petroleum solvents with a higher flash point or lower volati

compounds (VOC) content.
RCRA IN FOCUS

applies to dry cleaners is the NPDES, which controls direct discharges to surface w

POTW pretreatment program.

CWA Resources:

■ 40 CFR Parts 100 to 129 and 400 to 503

■ Internet access: <www.epa.gov/OW/>

■ EPA Office of Water: 202 260-5700

■ Your state water authority, regional EPA office, and local POTW

THE CLEAN AIR ACT 

The Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates air pollution. It includes national emission 

stationary sources within particular industrial categories. It also includes national e

for hazardous air pollutants, which are designed to control the emissions of particu

pollutants (HAPs). Perc is a HAP. All dry cleaners who use perc in both transfer an

machines, are required, regardless of size, to undertake a number of pollution prev

including inspecting dry cleaning equipment, keeping a log of leak detection and re

good housekeeping practices, and operating equipment according to manufacturer

You must also keep a log of the amount of perc purchased for the past 12 months.

CAA Resources:

■ 40 CFR Parts 50 to 99

■ Control Technology Center, Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards, EPA

mation: 919 541-0800; publications: 919 541-2777

■ Internet access: <www.epa.gov/tnn/catc>

COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, 

LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA OR SUPERFUND)

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Ac

1980, commonly known as Superfund, authorizes EPA to respond to releases, or th

es, of hazardous substances that might endanger public health, welfare, or the envi

might come from any source. Superfund also grants EPA the authority to force par

for environmental contamination to clean it up or to reimburse response costs incu

The most important part of this act applicable to dry cleaners is the hazardous subs

reporting requirement. The person in charge at your business must report to the N

Center (phone: 800 424-8802) any release of a hazardous substance that exceeds a 

“reportable quantity” for that substance within a 24-hour period. Also, if you are re

contamination caused by perc-containing wastewater leaking through sewer pipes, 

held liable under CERCLA. 

Superfund Resource:

■ Internet access: <www.epa.gov/superfund>

ment, consult the following citations in 40

CFR:

Part 260—Hazardous

waste management system: general.

Part 261—Identification

and listing of hazardous

waste.

Part 262—Standards

applicable to generators

of hazardous waste.

Part 263—Standards

applicable to transporters

of hazardous waste.

Part 264—Standards for

owners and operators of

hazardous waste and

specific types of hazardous waste management facilities.

Part 265—Interim status

standards for owners and

operators of TSDFs.

Part 266—Standards for

the management of specific hazardous wastes

and specific types of

hazardous waste management facilities.

continued

14
DRY CLEANING 

pounds within a 24hour period, however, would require emergency response notification. Also,

many of the chemicals used by dry cleaners may be considered hazardous chemicals as defined by

the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Contact your local OSHA office if you have questions about whether the chemicals used in your dry cleaning business are considered hazardous

under OSHA.

EPCRA Resources:

■ 40 CFR Parts 350 to 372

■ The State Emergency Response Commission (contact available from RCRA Hotline)

■ Internet access: <www.epa.gov/opptintr/tri/index.htm> and <www.epa.gov/swercepp/>

SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT 

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) mandates that EPA establish regulations to protect human

health from contaminants present in drinking water. Under the authority of SDWA, EPA developed

national drinking water standards and created a joint federal-state system to ensure compliance with

these standards. EPA also regulates underground injection of liquid wastes under the SDWA to protect underground sources of drinking water. 

SDWA Resources:

■ 40 CFR Parts 141 to 148

■ SDWA Hotline: 800 426-4791

■ Internet access: <www.epa.gov/ogwdw>

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) allows EPA to collect data on chemicals to evaluate,

assess, mitigate, and control risks that might be posed by their manufacture, processing, and use.

Dry cleaning facilities might be affected by some of the TSCA requirements. 

TSCA Resources:

■ 40 CFR Parts 702 to 799

■ TSCA Hotline: 202 554-1404

■ Internet access: <www.epa.gov/internet/oppts/>
hotline>

Answers questions on matters related

to RCRA solid waste, hazardous

waste, and underground storage tanks,

EPCRA, and CERCLA.

RCRA Information Center

U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency

RCRA Information Center (5305W)

401 M Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20460

Phone: 703 603-9230

Fax: 703 603-9234

E-mail: rcra-docket@epa.gov

Holds and provides public access to

all regulatory materials on RCRA and

distributes technical and nontechnical

information on RCRA issues.

Small Business Ombudsman

Clearinghouse/Hotline

U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency

Small Business Ombudsman (2131)

401 M Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20460

Phone: 800 368-5888

Fax: 202 401-2302

Home page: <www.smallbizenviroweb.org>

Helps private citizens, small businesses, and smaller communities with

questions on all program aspects within EPA.

EPA Headquarters Library

U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency

Headquarters Library

401 M Street, SW., Room 2904

Washington, DC 20460

Phone: 202 260-5921 or 5922

Fax: 202 260-6257

service bulletin boards and CD-ROM

systems.

Pollution Prevention Information

Clearinghouse (PPIC)

U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency Pollution Prevention

Clearinghouse (PPIC)

401 M Street, SW. (7409)

Washington, DC 20460

Phone: 202 260-1023

Fax: 202 260-4659

E-mail: ppic@epa.gov

U.S. Department of

Transportation

Hazardous Materials Information

Center

Phone: 800 467-4922

Provides information about DOT’s

hazardous materials regulations.

U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents

P.O. Box 371954

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Phone: 202 512-1800

Fax: 202 512-2250 

Home page:<www.access.gpo.gov>

Prints and distributes the Code of

Federal Regulations. Title 40, Parts

260 to 299, contains most of the

RCRA requirements.

National Response Center (NRC)

Phone: 800 424-8802

In the event of a fire, explosion, or

other release of hazardous waste that

could threaten human health outside

the facility, call the NRC to report the

emergency. The NRC will evaluate

the situation and help you make

appropriate emergency decisions.

Envirosense 

<es.inel.gov>

(contains technical, po

information on pollut

topics)

Office of Enforcem

Compliance Assura

<es.epa.gov/oeca/mfc

(provides easy to und

ance information targ

industry sectors)

RCRA Online

<www.epa.gov/rcraon

(searchable database w

memos and other info

by EPA to clarify regu

Fabricare Legislativ

Regulatory Educati

Organization

<www.pond.com/~h

resources/flare.html>

National Clotheslin

<members.aol.com/n

index.html>

(contains links to othe

websites, including 19 

nizations)

Neighborhood Clea

Association Interna

New York School o

<home.sprynet.com/

nca.htm>
(

9346) to order any of the following

documents:

Understanding the Hazardous Waste

Rules: A Handbook for Small Businesses,

1996 Update (EPA530-K-95-001) provides an overview to help small business owners and operators understand

how best to comply with federal hazardous waste management regulations. This booklet defines the three

categories of hazardous waste generators and assists small quantity generators in determining if federal regulations apply. This document explains

how to obtain an EPA identification

number, manage waste on site, and

ship waste off site.

RCRA: Reducing Risk From Waste

(EPA530-K-97-004) provides a brief

overview of the national RCRA program and the role of the states. This

booklet defines RCRA hazardous

waste and how the RCRA regulations

apply to generators, transporters, and

TSDFs. It focuses on hazardous waste

but also addresses municipal and

industrial nonhazardous solid waste.

It provides examples of waste and

waste treatment and disposal methods, waste minimizing tips, links to

other environmental laws related to

hazardous substances, a glossary of

terms, and a guide to the RCRA section of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Call the Pollution Prevention

Information Clearinghouse (202 260-

1023) to order any of the following

documents:

Design for the Environment: Garment and

Textile Care Program Fact Sheet (EPA

744-F-93-004) is a document produced by EPA’s Design for the

Environment (DfE) program. The

DfE Garment and Textile Care

Project is a voluntary effort between

representatives of the garment care

industry and EPA. The goal of the

project is to evaluate, test, and promote alternative technologies, materials, or processes that reduce waste and

prevent pollution. One aspect has

been encouraging “wet cleaning” and

other alternatives to traditional dry

cleaning using perc. This document

provides an up-to-date description of

the program and research efforts. 

Common Questions About Dry Cleaning

(EPA 744-K-96-003) addresses some

of the potential health and environmental concerns with perc, and

attempts to answer questions that

consumers have about dry cleaning.

The booklet also provides information on alternative garment care technologies, such as wet cleaning.

Wet Cleaning (EPA 744-K-96-002)

offers a summary of the alternative

technology known as “machine wet

cleaning” and lists garment care facilities nationwide that offer this service.

Plain English Guide for Perc Dry

Cleaners: A Step-by-Step Approach to

Understanding Federal Environmental

Regulations (EPA 303-B-96-002) summarizes the national environmental

regulations that apply to garment care

professionals who use perc, and provides a step-by-step approach to compliance.

Chemicals in the Enviro

(EPA 747-F-94-020) 

perc is, how it is used

pens once it enters th